Peyton Manning, more than any player of his generation, is known as a coach on the field. And no opposing coach has given him more problems than Bill Belichick.

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Manning said Wednesday that the New England Patriots coach is the "best coach" he's ever competed against.

"He'll go down as the greatest coach of all time," the Denver Broncos quarterback continued.

Manning will play a big role in deciding if that proves correct. If Belichick can get a fourth title, especially with this injury-ravaged team, Tom Brady and Belichick may be regarded as the greatest QB-coach tandem ever for this sustained success. If Belichick's brilliant post-2004 stretch of success doesn't eventually include another championship, we doubt he'll be considered the best.

Vince Lombardi, Paul Brown and Bill Walsh aren't going to be replaced atop the NFL's mountaintop. But Belichick can join them, especially if he takes down one of the greatest quarterbacks ever with a depleted defense that will be lucky to keep Manning to fewer than 30 points.